Ecology: Shrubby humid puna, possibly also in the Yungas montane; on soil and rocks, possibly associated with streams. Elevation: 1400-3600 m. Distribution: Bolivia and Brazil.
Ecología: Bosque montano (Yungas), y puna; sobre suelo y rocas Elevación: 1400-3600 m (Bolivia: 1400-3600 m). Distribución: Bolivia y Brasil.
Bryum atenense is related to B. capillare (if not included in that species). Ochi (1980: 141) differentiates B. atenense by the smaller plants, broadly oblong to oblong lanceolate leaves, plane leaf margins that are indistinctly bordered by a single row of elongate cells, and long excurrent costa. Only the weak border and plane, not recurred, margins seem to distinguish this species from the typical form of B. capillare. This species is also recorded for the Amazon and Cerrado regions of Brazil based on a few collections determined by Ochi (see Tropicos).
Specimens: BOLIVIA. La Paz: Williams 1897 (BM, H, JE, NY).